At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with customers, process orders, and support sales in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Shield Foods, a leading independent seafood distributor in London.
- Benefits: Full-time role with career growth into Business Development Manager and training provided.
- Other info: Opportunity to learn about e-commerce and develop your own accounts.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making a real impact in the gourmet seafood industry.
- Qualifications: 1-2 years in customer service or sales preferred; passion for food is a must!
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Shield Foods (UK) Ltd is one of the largest independent seafood distributors in London, specializing in fresh and frozen products. A privately owned SME, we have big growth plans and to support that we are currently recruiting a number of positions. We are proud to serve a portfolio of leading Michelin-star restaurants, QSRs and hotel chains across London and nationally. We enable responsible menu choices for high-end food service establishments and partners in the gourmet seafood value chain, through a global network of supply chain partnerships, strategic procurement, and strong technical capabilities that meet and exceed regulatory requirements.
You will join a fast-paced, quality-driven environment with a focus on service excellence and sustainability. This is a full-time, on-site role based in our offices in South Ruislip, West London. This role carries a career development path into Business Development Manager over 12-24 months. We will support you in learning the seafood category, if you don't already know it, and ensure you are exposed to growing commercial opportunities to support on-the-job development.
You will be a primary point of contact for customers, responding to enquiries by phone and email, processing orders accurately, and resolving issues in a timely and professional manner. The Executive will support the sales team by maintaining customer records, preparing quotations, developing and tracking new sales opportunities, and following up on leads to drive repeat and new business. You will also take daily responsibility of all customer service for our e-commerce, Hook'd, working with Marketing, Sales, Warehouse, Production, Transport, Stock Control, Sourcing and Finance to drive 5-star customer services at every touch point. In due course, you will be tasked with developing and growing your own accounts, setting the path to step into a Business Development Manager.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Process orders accurately; handle queries, amendments and delivery issues end-to-end.
- Day-to-day contact for small accounts; spot order-pattern drop-off before it becomes churn.
- Management of account pricing and specs.
- Creating quotes to the specification set up by commercial colleagues.
- Learning and understanding trend/margin reporting.
- Coordinate samples and follow up every action step.
- Support Hook'd e-commerce order processing: managing web orders through to despatch, courier tracking and delivery queries, and resolving e-commerce customer issues (refunds, replacements, order amendments).
- Any other key customer service and account support needs.
- Build and maintain channel target lists in Caterlyst with the Head of Marketing, Commercial Director and field team.
- Own the daily “account management” of Hook’d, working closely with the Head of Marketing.
- Outbound prospecting by phone and email; qualify prospects on volume potential, current supplier and review timing.
- Book qualified meetings for the NAM and BDMs with full briefing notes.
- Progressively close smaller independent accounts directly by phone.
- Own CRM data quality and produce the weekly pipeline report for the sales meeting.
KPIS
- Order accuracy and response times.
- Regular CRM prospecting.
- Qualified meetings booked per month (target calibrated quarterly).
- New phone accounts opened and their 90-day repeat rate.
- CRM data completeness and hygiene.
- 5-star customer service on all Hook’d orders.
COLLEAGUE SPECIFICATION
- Ideally 1–2 years’ experience in customer service, telesales or hospitality. If you don’t have that but feel you are a good match to the role, you are welcome to apply. However, food sector interest is essential.
- Hungry, resilient and coachable — genuinely wants a sales career and will earn it through activity and quality.
- Organised, accurate, numerate and comfortable living in systems all day.
- A basic understanding of D2C and e-commerce — online order platforms, despatch and courier processes, and the standards online customers expect — gained through work or genuine familiarity as a user.
- Confident on the phone, or clearly capable of becoming so quickly.
- Fluent in written and spoken English.
Customer Services & Sales Development Executive in Ruislip employer: Shield Foods (UK) Ltd
At Shield Foods (UK) Ltd, we pride ourselves on being a leading independent seafood distributor in London, offering a vibrant work culture that champions service excellence and sustainability. As a privately owned SME, we provide our employees with significant growth opportunities, including a clear career path to Business Development Manager within 12-24 months, alongside comprehensive training in the seafood category. Our South Ruislip location fosters a collaborative environment where you will engage with various departments to deliver exceptional customer service, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Services & Sales Development Executive in Ruislip
✨Get to Know the Company Culture
Before jumping into applications, it’s super helpful to understand the vibe at Shield Foods (UK) Ltd. Check out their social media, read reviews on sites like Glassdoor, and see how they engage with customers. It'll give you clues on their values and help tailor your conversation during interviews.
✨Join Customer Support Communities
Dive into online communities like those on Reddit or LinkedIn where customer support pros hang out. Participating in discussions or asking questions can make you more visible to potential recruiters and help you learn about job openings at companies like Shield Foods (UK) Ltd before they even post them.
✨Attend Job Fairs or Networking Events
Look out for local job fairs or events specifically for customer support roles. This is your chance to meet hiring managers face-to-face, and you might even get the opportunity to interview on the spot!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Customer Interactions
In the customer support world, showcasing your communication skills is key. Consider creating a short video introducing yourself or even doing a mock call to showcase your abilities. It's a memorable way to stand out, especially if you can share this during your interview process!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Services & Sales Development Executive in Ruislip
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, clear communication is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you've had in customer-facing roles and your ability to resolve issues. Don't shy away from including specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to help customers – this really shows your potential in the role.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Shield Foods (UK) Ltd:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you want to work at Shield Foods (UK) Ltd specifically. Mention any unique aspects of our company that resonate with you and how your skills can enhance our customer support. This personal touch will set your application apart from the rest!
Highlight Any Relevant Tools or Tech Skills:If you've used customer support software like Zendesk or Freshdesk or have experience with CRM systems, make sure to mention these in your application. Being familiar with industry-standard tools can be a big plus for us when we’re reviewing applications, as it shows you can hit the ground running!
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills:Customer support roles often require a knack for problem-solving. In your application, share examples of past experiences where you've tackled tough situations or resolved conflicts effectively. This will give us a good sense of how you handle challenges—an essential skill for success at Shield Foods (UK) Ltd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shield Foods (UK) Ltd
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In customer support, it's all about communicating effectively. Prepare to share instances from your past experiences where you handled difficult customers or resolved conflicts. We want to hear how you empathised and found the best solutions, so think of specific examples to back up your stories!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like Zendesk or Freshdesk, and make sure to review how you’ve used any similar systems in the past. During the interview, being able to discuss your hands-on experience with software or ticketing systems can really set you apart from the competition, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Show Genuine Enthusiasm
As this is a full-time role, employers want someone who isn’t just looking for any job, but wants to grow within customer support. Make sure to express your enthusiasm for helping customers and your desire to develop your skills. Show them why you're passionate about this field!
✨Practice Common Scenarios
Be prepared for role-playing scenarios where you might have to reassess a solution with a frustrated customer or explain a complex process in simple terms. Practising these common scenarios can help us feel more confident and demonstrate our practical skills effectively during the interview.
